More beneficial management practices have been added to Saskatchewan’s farm stewardship program to help producers maintain the environmental integrity of their land. The program, funded by the federal and provincial governments under Growing Forward 2, provides financial help to producers who implement BMPs that maintain or improve the soil, water or air quality, or biodiversity […] Read more
Karen Briere
Stories by Karen Briere
Push on to complete Trans Canada Trail by 2017
Ready for Canada’s 150th? | Saskatchewan only 34 percent done; Manitoba is 92 percent and Alberta is 58 percent
Valerie Pringle can already picture the evening of July 1, 2017. She sees Canadians lined from coast to coast to coast on the Trans Canada Trail, torches and flashlights in hand, while a camera in space records the moment. She just has to convince the provinces, particularly Saskatchewan, to play their part. Pringle, the well-known […] Read more
Wheat midge poses big risk for eastern Sask.
Increased moisture to blame | Cabbage seed pod weevil in canola is also expected to cause major problems this year
Wheat growers in eastern Saskatchewan will likely face significant wheat midge infestation this year, according to the provincial forecast. Surveys done last fall found that the regions of greatest risk will be the black and dark brown soil zones in east-central and southeastern areas. Wheat midge is commonly a problem in these regions but is […] Read moreBrandt Group makes hospital donation
A $50,000 donation from Brandt Group of Companies has helped the Hospitals of Regina Foundation past the halfway mark in its current fundraising campaign. The $2 million campaign is raising money for surgical equipment in Regina’s hospitals. PotashCorp is matching all donations dollar-for-dollar, up to $1 million, until June 30. Brandt has a program called […] Read more
Ergot threat grows with brome grass discovery
Reports of poisoning rise | Producers urged to take and test feed samples to ensure quality and safety
Ergot has moved into brome grass, which is causing concern for those watching the spread of the toxic fungus and dealing with the fallout. Barry Blakley, a toxicologist and head of the Western College of Veterinary Medicine’s veterinary biomedical sciences department, said he used to receive one or two calls a year about ergot poisoning. […] Read moreTree shortage shocks new shelter belt operator
Indian Head centre | Temporary operator of the former federal facility says work will focus on re-establishing tree varieties
Deliveries of trees from the former federal shelter belt centre in Indian Head, Sask., will begin next week, even though the lessee says fewer varieties than expected were found on site. HELP International chief executive officer Rodney Sidloski said he was shocked to find only eight of 35 varieties of trees available for harvest. “Decommissioning […] Read moreDrainage complaint generates $11K fine for Saskatchewan farmer
Seven years after the original complaint, a farmer from Lestock, Sask., who illegally drained water was convicted and fined under the province’s Water Security Agency Act. Gerald Faye and his company, GMJK Farms, were fined $11,200 in Wynyard provincial court for failing to comply with an order. Agency spokesperson Patrick Boyle said Faye was fined […] Read more
Sask. program keeps nurses working while upgrading
A new strategy is expected to en-courage more nurse practitioners to practise in rural and remote areas of Saskatchewan. Leland Sommer, president elect of the Saskatchewan Association of Nurse Practitioners, said the recruitment program includes four initiatives to be phased in over two years. The program was recently an-nounced by the provincial government and designed […] Read more
Quebec to appeal Sask. victory in veg oil-based dairy product case
Saskatchewan has won its internal trade challenge against Quebec, but the latter says it will appeal. Saskatchewan argued at a dispute resolution panel in January that Quebec restricted the production, sale and marketing of vegetable oil-based dairy products, which contravened internal trade rules. The panel, in a decision released today, agreed. The governments of Alberta, […] Read more
Quebec to appeal Sask. victory in veg oil-based dairy product case
Saskatchewan has won its internal trade challenge against Quebec, but the latter says it will appeal. Saskatchewan argued at a dispute resolution panel in January that Quebec restricted the production, sale and marketing of vegetable oil-based dairy products, which contravened internal trade rules. The panel, in a decision released today, agreed. The governments of Alberta, […] Read more
